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An unexpected update has been issued after reports of a 'gunman' put schools in lockdown and forced shops to close in Wigan last week.

Armed police were called to reports of a 'suspicious' male with a suspected firearm near Gerard Street in Ashton-in-Makerfield town centre on Wednesday (September 17).

Greater Manchester Police confirmed that they received reports at around 3.15pm about a suspected firearm in the area. Local schools, including Byrchall High School, on Warrington Road, were put into lockdown measures as a precaution.

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Pictures from the scene showed a number of armed police vehicles lining Gerard Street, with police also in attendance in the car park f

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